Window construction



April `5, 1932- A. sERRlTELLA f 1,852,589

, WINDOW CONSTRUCTION Filed March 21, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 April 5,1932.

A. sERRiTE| LA WINDOW CONSTRUCTION Filed March 2l, 1930 yzllessesr.'

4 Sheets-Sheet 2 www Ummm| IIHIIW mmm April 5, 1932- A. SERRITELLA1,852,589

WINDOW CONSTRUCTION A` SERRITELLA WINDOW CONSTRUCTION April s, 1932.

4 Sheets-Sheet 4 f Filed March 21, 1950 7 In f Patented Apr. 5, 1932PATENT OFFICE ANTONIO SERRITELLA, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS WINDOW CON$TRUCTION Application filed March 21,1930. serial No. 437,882.

This invention relates to window constructions, and more particularly tothat kind in which the sashes or frames carrying the glass Y 4panels orpanes are slidably mounted and counterbalanced in the usual manner byweighted sash cords or the like, the object of the invention being toimprove the constructionby providing for removing the sashes from theirguideways in the window frame but without detaching the sashes fromtheir weighted counterbalancing cords, so that the glass panels or panesmay be conveniently y washed on both their inner and outer sides fromtheinside of a room; to provide for readily applying the invention tothe ordinary standard window structure, either during or after thecourse of construction thereof; and to attain certain other advantagesas will more fully hereinafter appear.

Generally stated, the invention consists broadly in making a portion ofthe window frame detachable in the region of the vertical guideways forthe sashes at one side of the frame whereby both the upper and lowersashes may be moved edgewise into the opening after the removableportion is detached, whereby to withdraw the opposite edge por- Iions ofthe sashes from their respective guideways at the opposite side of theframe so that the sashes are permitted to swing freely from theircounterb-alancing cords and held by the operator in any convenientposition, at will. The invention further consists in the parts andcombinations and arrangements of parts lq stantially on theline 3-'-3 ofFig. 1;

as hereinafter more fullyV described and Fig. 4 is a fragmentaryhorizontal section on the line 4.--4 of Fig. 3; p

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view, on an enlarged scale, illustrating detailsof the detachable elements for closing the opening in the window frameat the side of the frame where the window sashes are moved to effecttheir release from their respective guideways in the frame; y

Fig. 6 is a section, taken on or about the line 6 6 of Fig. 5; Fig. 7 isa view, similar to Fig. 5, illustrating a modification of the closureelements for the opening in the side of the window frame; Fig. 8 is asection on the line 88 of Fig. 7, with the intermediate portion of theclosure member removed; Fig. 9 is a horizontal section, taken-substantially on the line 9 9 of Fig. 7

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary vertical section on the line 10-10 of Fig. 7;and

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary section, illustrat ing a modification of thelatch device of the removable elements.

Referring now to the drawings, the numeral 15 designates the verticalside members of an ordinary window frame, said frame having the usualsill 16 and top cross member 17. The side members 15 of the frame areprovided with the usual vertical guideways 18 and 19 for the upper andlower sashes 2O and 21, the sashes having the usual sash cords 22attached to their upper end portions, said cords passing over thegrooved pulleys 23 near the top of the window frame and being providedwith the usual counterbalancing weights 24 which work in the verticalspaces 25 provided therefor in the side members 15 of the frame.

As in the ordinary standard window frame structure, the guideways 18 and19 for the sashes 2O and 21 are produced by providing a vertical partingstrip 26 on the partitions 27, which constitute the bottoms of saidguideways or channels in which the sashes slide. In the partition 27 ofone of the side frame members 15 is formed a vertically elongatedopening 28 which is of a length a little greater than the over allvertical dimension of each of the sashes 20 and 21, and

also slightly wider than the thickness of each sash. The lower' end ofthis opening 28 is located slightly above the sill 16, as at 29, and itsupper end, of course, necessarily terminates some distance above the topend of the lower sash 21, as at 30. is shown more clearly in Figs. 2 and5 of the drawings, the opening 28 extends transversely into both of theguideways 18 and 19 and, of course, that portion of the parting strip 26in the region of the opening is removed. This removed portion of theregular parting strip 26 is replaced by a supplemental strip 31 whichAis mounted on a closure member 32, which latter is fitted removably inthe opening 28, as will presently be described in detail, saidsupplemental strip 31 completing the continuity of the strip 26 and thecover member 32 completing the continuity of the partition 27, it beingflush with both the inner and outer faces of said partition when inplace.

Preferably, for convenience in attaching and detaching the closuremember 32, it is made in two separate sections, the upper section 33thereof being obviously inserted first in a lower portion of the opening28, below the bottom ends of the sashes and 21, at which time, ofcourse, both sashes are raised to their uppermost positions, but theirlower ends are in a horizontal plane considerably below that ofthe upperend of said opening 28. This upper section 33 is first inserted and thenslid to the upper endof the'opening 28 and the lower section 34 of saidclosure member is next inserted to close the lower portion of theopening.

The upper section 33 of the closure member 32 is preferably composed ofa rectangular metal plate 35 which is seated in a rabbeted marginalportion 28 of the partition 27 at the .upper end and opposite sides ofthe opening 28, so as to be flush with the outer face of Said partition.A wooden filler member 36 which is of a width corresponding to the 'lwidth ofthe opening 28 and of a thickness so that it is flush with theinner face of the partition 27 when in place, is attached to the innerface of said plate 35. In order to releasably secure the upper section33 of the closure member 32 in engagement with the partition 37, saidsection is provided on its inner side with a longitudinal groove 36 nearits upper end, in which a latch member 37 is loosely fitted. This latchmember is mounted on a screw-bolt or threaded stud 38, said stud havinga head 39 which is preferably beveled marginally so as to seat in acountersunk aperture in the plate 35, through which aperture thescrew-bolt or stud 39 is inserted and engaged in a screw-threadedaperture provided therefor in the latch member 37, there being acompression spring 40 coiled about said bolt or stud 38 and interposedbetween the plate 35 and the latch member 37.

Located in a recess 41 in the wooden filler member 36 and interposedbetween the plate 35 and the end portion of said latch member 37 is aspring 42, said spring 42 being constantly under compression and actingto rock said latch member with the stud 38 as a fulcrum and thereby movethe portion of the latch member below the stud away from the bottom ofthe groove in the filler member 36 in which said latch member islocated. By this provision the upper end portion of the latch member,which is preferably beveled on its inner face, as at 43, is pressedtightly but releasably against a shoulder 44 at the upper end of theopening 28 in the partition 27, said shoulder being preferably coveredwith a suitable sheet `metal wear plate 45. By adjusting the screw-boltor kthreaded stud 38 longitudinally in its opening in the latch member37, the latter may be variably spaced from the plate 35, at will, so asto assure a snug Contact of the beveled end portion 43 of said latchmember with the shoulder 44, there being a certain amount of clearanceprovided between the bottom of the groove 36 and the adjacentlongitudinal face of said latch member 37.

At the lower end of the upper member 33 is a channel shaped extension 46formed preferably of sheet metal, in the upper portion of which ishoused a transverse tubular member 47 which is preferably square incross-section and has a pair of oppositely disposed latch bolts 48slidable longitudinally in its opposite end portions, said latch boltsbeing adapted to engage in rectangular notched keepers 49 providedtherefor on opposite sides of the opening 28, said keepers eachcomprising a plate 50, as shown more clearly in Fig. 1 of the drawings,the notch in the plate 50 registering cooperatively with a correspondingrecess provided in the adjacent portion of the window frame, as shownmore clearly in Fig. 5. The latch bolts 48 are normally held in extendedposition by lever members 51, which are operably crossed on a pivot 52and are normally held apart by compression spring 53, said spring beinginterposed between upstanding lugs 54 provided therefor at the outermarginal portions of said lever members 51. Preferably, the spring 53 iscoiled about a rod 55 which is fitted loosely at its opposite ends inapertures provided therefor in said lugs 54, said rod 55 extendingapproximately from side wall to side wall of said channeled housing 46.

For convenience in retracting the latch bolts 48 and withdrawing themfrom engagement with the keepers 49, said lever members 51 are providedwith handle eXtensions 56, said handle extensions preferably havingmarginal wings 57 for convenience in manipulating said elements. It isfurther preferable to loosely mount the tubular member 47 in the housing46 and extend the latch bolts through slots inthe side walls of saidhousing, and to provide leaf springs 58 which are secured at their ends,as at 59, toV the bottom wall of the housing 46 and have the oppositeend portions arranged to bear against the tubular member 47 andyieldably press the same away from the bottom of said housing.Obviously, by this provision it is an easy matter to apply the uppersection 3.3 to the opening 28 in that it is only necessary to firstengage the latch 37 at the upper por tion with the shoulder 44 and thensnap the lower portion into place, by pressing the member 33 bodily intothe opening and then depressing the member 47 against the tension of thesprings 58 so that the latch bolts 48 will readily engage the notchedkeepers 49, the springs 58 reacting to press the tubular member 47outwardly.

The tubular member 47 isv provided with a central screw-threaded opening60 which is engaged by a screw 61 inserted through an opening providedtherefor in the metal plate 62 of the lower section 34 of the closuremember 32, said plate 62 being similar to the plate 35 on the uppersection 33 and having a wooden filler member 63 secured to its innerface, similar to the filler member 36. Bytightening the screw 61 thetubular member 47 is drawn towards the plate 62 and the projected endportions of the latch bolts 48 are accordingly brought into engagementwith the bottoms of the keeper notches 49 at the opposite sides of theopening 28 and the plate 62 is obviously seated tightly in the rabbetedportions 28 in the outer face of the partition 27 about the marginalportions surrounding said opening 28. At the lower end of the lowersection 34 of said closure member 32 is a latch element 64 similar tothe element .37 at the upper end of the upper section 33 of the closuremember. The lower end portion of this latch element 64 projects belowthe end of the filler member 63, as at 65, and engages behind theshouldered portion 66 of the partition 27 at the lower end of theopening 28, said shouldered portion being preferably provided with asheet metal reinforcement 67 similar to the reinforcement 45 at theupper end of said opening 28.

From the foregoing description it is apparent that the closure member 32is readily attached and detached, at will, and when in place is flushwith both the outer and inner faces of the partition 27 so that there isno interference with the sliding of the sashes 2O and 21 in the verticalguideways 18 and 19, nor any projection or recess produced in thevertical space or shaft 25 which might be engaged by thecounterbalancing weights 24 and interfere with the movement thereof.

The supplemental parting strip 31 on the closure member 32 comprises anupper section 68 and a lower section 69, respectively secured to theupper and lower sections 33 and 34 of said closure member. Thesesupplemental parting strip sections are preferably tubular members ofrectangular crosssection Vand composed of non-corrosive orrust-resistant metal.

69, as shown, are closed by plugs 70, preferably of vulcanized rubber,but, obviously, they may be made of any other suitable or desirablematerial. Also, the meeting end portions of the two parting stripmembers 68 and 69 are beveled, as at 7l, and more clearly shown in Fig.6 of the drawings. So, too, the lower end portion 72 of the strip member69 is beveled where it meets the adjacent portion 26 of the Vregularparting strip on the outer face of the partition 27.

A modification of the closure member 32 is illustrated in Figs. 7 to 11,inclusive, of the drawings. In this modification the closure member,designated by the reference numeral 7 3, is made in a single section. Asshown, it comprises a sheet metal outer plate whose lower portion 74fits into the rabbeted marginal portion of the partition 27 about the`opening' 28 and whose upper portion 75 is reduced in width so as to fitbetween the parallel leg portions 76 of a substantially U- shaped plate77 which is fastened, as by the screws 78, in the rabbeted portion'ofthe partition 27 about theupper portion of the opening 28, the innermarginal portions of said legs 76 and the base portion of the plate 77overhanging the opening 28. The closure member 73 is further providedwith a filler member 79, similar to the filler members 36 and 63, exceptthat it is in a single piece corresponding in length and breadth to theopening 28. This filler member 79 projects marginally beyond the sideand end edges of theV upper portion of the sheet metal outer plate ofthe closure member 73, thereby producing a rabbet into which theadjacent side and base margins of the plate 77 seat when the closuremember is in place. As shown in Figs. 7 and 10 of the drawings, theouter plate of the closure member 73 is provided with oppositelydisposed rounded projections 8O on its inner face and at its oppositeside margins at the base of the restricted upper `portion of the outerplate, said rounded projections 80 being preferably formed by rollingthe portion ofv the metal comprising the outer plate, as shown moreclearly in Fig. 10. These projections 80 are adapted to enter undercutnotched portions 81 at opposite sides of the opening 28 in the partition27, the adjacent portions of said partition being provided withcorresponding notched escutcheons or reinforcing plates 82.

In applying the closure member of this modication its upper end portionis'inserted angularly into the opening 28, that is, Ydiagonally andupwardly in the region of the notches 81 until the portions 8() entersaid notches, whereupon the closure member is The end portions of saidmembers 68 and swung into place -in said opening 28, said members80vengaging in the notches 81 and affording the pivotal support foraccomplishing this.

On the outer face of the closure member -7 3 is a supplemental partingstrip 83, preferably'composed of similar rectangular tubing as in thefirst herein described modification, said supplemental parting stripbeing closed at its ends by plugs 84, and the upper endof-said stripwhere it meets the regular parting strip 26 is preferably beveled, as at85.

The closure member 7 3 is held in place by the interlocking engagementof the fulcrum members 80 in the notches 81 and the engagement of therabbeted upper portion of said member 73 with the substantially Ueshapedplate 77, and a releasable latching device comprising a sliding rod orbolt member 86 Vwhich is mounted in the lowerportion of the `tubularpartingV strip 83", as shown more clearly in Fig. 8 of the drawings. Thelower end portion of the bolt 86 slides through the plug 84and a rightangular end portion 87 of a removable latch plate 88, said lower endportion of the bolt engaging in a recess 89 provided therefor in thesill portion 16' of the window frame, said rod being actuated by amanipulating finger or extension 90 which works through a slot 91 in adepression 92 provided therefor in the latch plateV 88. In Fig. 11 afurther modification of the securing means for the closure member isillustrated. In this modification the latch bolt 93 comprises arectangularbody portion corresponding to the interior cross-section ofthe tubular parting strip member 83, and has an inwardly offset angularextension 94 which fits into a recess 95 in the partition 27 and behinda retaininfY plate or keeper' 96 provided on the outer Vface ofthepartition in connection with said recess. Said bolt 93 is manipulated bya fingerpiece in a manner similar to the hereinbefore described bolt 86,and it is preferably provided with a leaf spring 97 fitted inalongitudinally slotted portion 98 of the bolt and bearing against theouter plate of the closure member 73 through a slot 99 provided thereforin the bottom wall of the tubular parting strip 83.

In the side of the window frame opposite to that in which the opening 28is provided a similar opening of lesser dimensions may be provided, asat '100, for gaining access to the sash weights at that side of theframe, said opening being normally closed by a closure comprising anouter plate 101 and a filler 102, the outer plate having a parting stripmember 103 thereon.

To prevent warping of the filler members 36. 63, 79 and 102, saidmembers are preferably corrugated or longitudinally grooved, as at 104,in their inner faces which engage the outer metal plates and, whiletheparticular structures herein shown and described embody practicaladaptations of the invention, it is understood that many modificationsmay be made in the general arrangements, as well as in the details ofstructure, without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventionas defined by the appended claims. The invention, therefore, is notlimited to the specific construction and arrangement shown in theaccompanying drawings.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

l. A window structure comprising a frame having a guideway for avsliding sash, said guideway being provided with a longitudinallyelongated opening of dimensions to receive the sash edgewise therein, aremovable closure panel for said opening adapted when in place tocomplete the continuity of said guideway in the frame, means at theupper and lower ends of said closure panel for releasably locking thepanel in place and transversely effective latching means intermediateits ends for releasably securing said closure panel in place.

2. A window structure comprising a frame having a guideway for the edgeportion of a slidable sash, a portion of said guideway being removed toafford a longitudinally eX- tending opening of length and breadthdimensions to receive the sash edgewise therein, the marginal portionsof said frame around said opening being rabbeted, a removable closurepanel for said opening, said panel comprising a sheet metal front plateseated in said rabbeted portions of the frame flush with the face of theguideway, its outer face completing the continuity of the guideway, aVreenforcing backing on said front panel plate comprising a rectangularwooden strip insertable in said opening, and means for releasablysecuring said closure panel in place.

3. A window structure comprising a frame having parallel guideways inits vertical side member,upper and lower sashes having their verticaledge portions respectively slidably mounted in said guideways,contiguous lower portions of said guideways extending transversely onopposite sides of the parting strip bein removed so as to liointl'vprovide an elongated opening of length' and breadth dimensionssuiiicient to receive either of said sashes edgewise therein, the upperend of said opening terminating above the upper end of the lower sashwhen in lowered position and also above the lower end of the upper sashin its raised position, a sectional closure panel for said opening, saidpanel when in place being flush with the faces of the guideways, meansfor releasably securing the upper end of the upper panel section to theadjacent edge portion of the frame, similar means for securing the lowerend of the lower panel section in place, means at the upper end of thelower section for releasably engaging the meeting lower end of the uppersection, and transversely acting means for releasably engaging themeeting end portions of said upper and lower panel sections with theadjacent portions of the frame whereby to normally retain said panelsection in place.

4. A window Jframe having a rectangular longitudinal opening in the sashslideway thereof, said opening being of length and breadth dimensionswhereby to receive the sash edgewise therein, and a closure for saidopening to complete the continuity of the slideway, said closurecomprising separable upper and lower sections, said frame at the upperand lower ends of said opening and the corresponding end portions of theclosure being arranged for releasably interlocking engagement, the lowerend portion of the upper closure section having transversely disposedlatch elements retractibly engageable in keeper openings in the adjacentportions of the frame at opposite sides of said opening, and means fordetachably securing the meeting end portions of said upper and lowerclosure sections.

5. A window frame having a rectangular longitudinal opening in the sashslideway thereof, said opening being of length and breadth dimensionswhereby to receive the sash edgewise therein, and a closure for saidopening to complete the continuity of the slideway, said closurecomprising separable upper and lower sections, said frame havingshoulder portions at the upper and lower ends of said opening,resiliently supported latch elements respectively on the upper endportion of the upper closure section and the lower end portion of thelower closure section for engagement with said shoulder portions of theframe, the lower end portion of said upper closure section beingchambered and having oppositely disposed transversely acting latchmembers retractibly engageable in keeper openings provided therefor inthe adjacent portions of the frame at opposite sides of said openingtherein, holding and retracting means for said latch elements comprisingcooperating spring-pressed lever members, and means for detachablysecuring together the meeting end portions of said upper and lowerclosure sections.

6. A window frame having a rectangular longitudinal opening in its sashslideway, said frame having shoulder portions at the upper and lowerends of said opening, and a closure comprising cooperating upper andlower sections insertable in said opening to complete the continuity ofthe sash slideway of the frame, latch means at the upper end of theupper closure section comprising a longitudinally disposed membermovably fitted in a grove provided therefor in said closure section, aresilient and pivotal support for said latch member and a separatespring element coacting with said latch ele-

